pixie

I am a Textiles design student and i am trying to make plants have more involvement on everday life. I want to create a way of growing plants and vegetables in a clear solution so you can see the growth process i have no idea if that is possible?! i have looked into Perlite and even tryed adding plant food to water storing crystals to see what would happen but i think it would just harbor root rot in the plants. If i can't work something out i will have to turn to real hydroponics!! Also what are the benefits of growing with agar?!